The growth and development of a crop of bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.)

Abstract

The growth and development of a crop of Bulrush millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.) was evaluated by a series of ‘first’ harvests at weekly intervals during the growing season. A final harvest was taken at the end of the season to measure the regrowth.Tillers emerged from the second, until the 5th week after emergence where full light interception was recorded. Then a marked increase in dry-matter production, internode elongation and leaf area index occurred and a peak growth rate of 44 ± 4 g. of dry matter per square metre per day was recorded during the 9th week. General flowering occurred during the 13th week and at 16 weeks the crop yielded 21,735 kg. of dry matter per hectare.Regrowth yields were high following defoliations made at an early vegetative stage when the apical meristem was below the cutting height and then declined as internode elongation raised increasing numbers of apices above the cutting height. Extensive areas of the stand died when defoliated as it approached its period of maximum growth rate.